SONA

Efforts to Stop the Closure of the National Archives at San Francisco and Chicago Continue

clairekluskens federal funding, Finding Records at NARA, genealogy, immigration, law, NARA, National Archives and Records Administration, Native Americans, SONA , , , , , , , ,

Efforts to stop the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) from closing regional archival facilities at San Francisco and Chicago continue.

On 7 October 2026, Rep. Kevin Mullin announced receipt of a “dismissive” response by NARA to a joint letter that he and 37 other legislators had sent to NARA. In addition, Rep. Mullin and other introduced the National Archives Protection Act that “would prevent NARA from closing any of its facilities including archives, records centers, and research rooms, without Congressional approval.” The 119th Congress is unlikely to take action on this legislation before it adjourns sine die so the matter will need to be reintroduced in the 120th Congress in January. Read more here:

California Attorney General Rob Bonta on 14 October 2026 filed a lawsuit challenging the decision by the NARA to close the National Archives at San Francisco and transfer its archival holdings to other NARA facilities across the country. 

The records date back to 1850 and “are invaluable to the State, universities and researchers, families, Tribes, and individuals who come to the facility to connect with their ancestors, culture, and broader community. In the lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, Attorney General Bonta argues that the decision to close this facility, without regard for those who rely on it, violates the Administrative Procedure Act and should be blocked.” Read more here:

Follow events and announcements more closely at Save OUR National Archives at https://www.saveournationalarchives.org.